Welcome.

I offer compassionate mental health therapy for kids, teens, and adults - a safe space to slow down, process experiences, and better understand the patterns shaping your life.

Hi, I’m Karen. I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist based in Hermosa Beach, CA.

I work with kids, teens, and adults navigating challenging or overwhelming seasons of life. As a second-generation Vietnamese American, I’m especially mindful of how culture and family systems shape our lives, identity, and relationships. I strive to create a space where all parts of you feel welcome and understood. My work is client-centered, meaning our sessions are shaped by your individual needs, goals, and comfort level.

I draw from many therapeutic approaches, including attachment-focused conversations to explore relationship patterns, somatic and nervous-system-aware practices to help you feel more grounded in your body, creative art interventions when words are hard to find, and practical tools to use in everyday life.

My goal is to offer a calm, compassionate environment where you can slow down, process, heal and grow. Sessions are held in person in Hermosa Beach or via telehealth.

My Background:

  • Earlier in my life, I experienced firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate anxiety, family dynamics, and the pressure to live up to expectations, especially when you don’t feel fully understood. I remember how meaningful it was to have a therapist who created a safe, non-judgmental space where I could learn to better understand myself, grow in confidence, recognize patterns, and develop healthier ways to communicate. That experience showed me that things can get better.

    That journey shaped my decision to become a therapist and continues to guide my work today. I believe therapy is a powerful and transformative process, especially during teenage years and young adulthood, when so much is changing and it’s easy to feel alone. It feels full-circle now to support others in building lives that feel more grounded, connected, and whole. My goal is to offer a warm, supportive, and empowering space where clients feel safe to explore who they are and where they want to go.

  • Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences from the University of Washington, where I developed a strong foundation in understanding people within their social, cultural, and relational contexts.

    Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University, where I was trained to work with individuals, families, and systems through a relational and trauma-informed lens.

  • Alongside my practice, I currently provide individual and group therapy to teens in adolescent residential treatment, working with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, suicidal ideation, emotional dysregulation, identity development, family conflict, and self-esteem challenges.

    Past experience working as a school-based therapist with ages 5–18, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams that included psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and school staff at:

    • Hawthorne High School

    • Will Rogers Middle School

    • Environmental Charter Middle School

    • Mark Twain Elementary School

  • Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in California, AMFT #160496

    Certified in Child & Adolescent Strengths-Based Assessment (CANS)

    Somatic Experiencing Training in progress

    PESI Somatic Trauma Healing Training in progress

  • Art has been a constant thread throughout my life. I’m a painter and have hosted gallery shows in the South Bay featuring my ski and surfboard art. I also occasionally host art workshops, which I love because they bring people together through creativity and connection.

    Movement is important to me too. I have a background in competitive dance and have been practicing yoga for over a decade, which has shaped how I relate to my body and manage stress. You can often find me in a hot yoga class, surfing, rollerblading, or soaking up the sunshine on a beautiful day. I’m also a reader and chess player, two things that keep me curious and always learning.

Approaches I Integrate in Therapy:

  • Somatic (Body-Based) Therapy

    I use somatic approaches to help clients tune into how stress and emotions show up in their bodies. Working gently with the nervous system, breath, and physical sensations can support regulation and a sense of safety.

  • Creative Art Interventions

    I may incorporate creative and expressive interventions as a way to explore emotions or experiences that are hard to put into words. For those who enjoy art, this can be a great pathway for healing.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    I use CBT to help clients understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. It helps you to notice patterns and learn practical tools that support day-to-day functioning.

  • Mindfulness

    I integrate mindfulness practices to help clients slow down, become more present, and develop better awareness of their inner experiences.

  • Attachment Theory

    I use an attachment-based lens to understand how early relationships shape current patterns in relationships - connections, boundaries, self-worth.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    I incorporate DBT-based skills to support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and healthier communication. These tools are especially helpful when emotions feel intense or overwhelming.